Üdvöylöm!
It's snowing this morning in Budapest -- nothing major, just light flurries that make me feel very cozy in my fuzzy black hat, wool coat, scarf, and gloves. It's right before noon, and I just had a major victory in the post office. I bought stamps!! Ah... travel.
The Hungarian language leaves me at a bit of a loss. There is absolutely nothing that I can recognize and hold on to, very little clues that help me know what is being said or what response is expected. Last night at the Christmas fair in Vörösmarty tér, I watched a delightful group of folk singers/dancers. At one point, some kind of story was being acted out (my Lutheran background told me it was a group of sheepherders who were going to Bethlehem because the angels told them to), but I really had no idea what was going on. The crowd was laughing, they were apparently being funny, but all I could do was watch and wonder. The best part of the show was a small girl, bundled up from toe to head, imitating the dancers as they lept, clapped, and stomped their boots. She was soooo cute, jumping up and down, shaking her entire body, and moving her head around. Her checks and nose were an intense pink, and she was bundled up so tightly that her arms didn't really touch the sides of her body... a little snowman, really. The grown-ups with here were laughing and clapping for her, and she kept it up for about 10 minutes. We'll see if my pictures truly capture her cuteness.
Tonight I meet my first Global Freeloader, Zsuzsi. I may be staying with 3 different Freeloaders while I'm here, a new experience for me. (If you're curious, go to www.globalfreeloaders.com) I'm having a bit of social anxiety to stay in the homes of total strangers, but I'm hoping it'll give me a better glimpse into the city. The hostel I'm staying at is fine, but it's too big to really meet anybody who isn't in your room. I'm thinking of treating myself to a hotel the 2 days before I leave, as well as a visit and massage at one of the thermal baths. I may have another first this week too, ice skating!
The Hungarian language leaves me at a bit of a loss. There is absolutely nothing that I can recognize and hold on to, very little clues that help me know what is being said or what response is expected. Last night at the Christmas fair in Vörösmarty tér, I watched a delightful group of folk singers/dancers. At one point, some kind of story was being acted out (my Lutheran background told me it was a group of sheepherders who were going to Bethlehem because the angels told them to), but I really had no idea what was going on. The crowd was laughing, they were apparently being funny, but all I could do was watch and wonder. The best part of the show was a small girl, bundled up from toe to head, imitating the dancers as they lept, clapped, and stomped their boots. She was soooo cute, jumping up and down, shaking her entire body, and moving her head around. Her checks and nose were an intense pink, and she was bundled up so tightly that her arms didn't really touch the sides of her body... a little snowman, really. The grown-ups with here were laughing and clapping for her, and she kept it up for about 10 minutes. We'll see if my pictures truly capture her cuteness.
Tonight I meet my first Global Freeloader, Zsuzsi. I may be staying with 3 different Freeloaders while I'm here, a new experience for me. (If you're curious, go to www.globalfreeloaders.com) I'm having a bit of social anxiety to stay in the homes of total strangers, but I'm hoping it'll give me a better glimpse into the city. The hostel I'm staying at is fine, but it's too big to really meet anybody who isn't in your room. I'm thinking of treating myself to a hotel the 2 days before I leave, as well as a visit and massage at one of the thermal baths. I may have another first this week too, ice skating!